Water faucet device

ABSTRACT

An automatic water faucet device  1  includes: an electrolysis tank  37  that electrolyzes water to generate electrolyzed water; a second water discharge part  13  for discharging the electrolyzed water, a second flow path  18  that extends from the electrolysis tank  37  to the second water discharge part  13 ; a second solenoid valve  28  that switches between supply and blocking of normal water with respect to the electrolysis tank  37 , and a controller  40  that controls the electrolysis tank  37  and the second solenoid valve  28 . The controller  40  energizes the electrolysis tank  37  to discharge the electrolyzed water and thereafter stops the energization of the electrolysis tank  37  and maintains an open state of the second solenoid valve  28 , to stop the supply of the electrolyzed water to the second flow path  18  and to supply normal water to the second flow path  18.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a water faucet device, and moreparticularly to a water faucet device that discharges functional watersuch as electrolyzed water.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, water faucet devices that discharge functional watersuch as electrolyzed water having a disinfecting function are known. Forexample, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which theconcentration of used electrolyzed water is defined in a predeterminedrange in order to prevent corrosion of metal components inside a handwash basin, in the hand wash basin that discharges electrolyzed water.

CITATION LIST Patent Document

-   Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-235378

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

However, in the technique described in the above Patent Document 1, theconcentration of the used electrolyzed water is restricted within such arange as not to corrode the metal components. Therefore, for example,since the concentration of the electrolyzed water is lowered, thedisinfecting function of the electrolyzed water may not effectively beexerted.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to suitably inhibitcorrosion of a functional water flow path and the like, regardless ofthe concentration of functional water in a water faucet device thatdischarges functional water such as electrolyzed water.

Solution to Problem

In order to attain the above object, the present invention is a waterfaucet device including: a functional water generation part configuredto operate by a supplied current, and to reform water so as to generatefunctional water; a functional water discharge part configured todischarge the functional water generated by the functional watergeneration part; a functional water flow path extending from thefunctional water generation part to the functional water discharge part,and configured to allow the functional water to flow; and a controllerconfigured to control the functional water generation part, wherein thecontroller is configured to discharge the functional water having firstconcentration from the functional water discharge part through thefunctional water flow path, and thereafter to supply the functionalwater flow path with the functional water having second concentrationlower than the first concentration.

In the present invention thus configured, the functional water havingthe first concentration is discharged from the functional waterdischarge part through the functional water flow path, and thereafterthe functional water having the second concentration lower than thisfirst concentration is supplied to the functional water flow path, andtherefore it is possible to dilute the concentration of the functionalwater inside the functional water flow path. Consequently, unlike thetechnique described in Patent Document 1, it is possible to inhibitcorrosion (degradation) of the functional water flow path and the likedue to the functional water remaining in the functional water flow pathwithout restricting the concentration of functional water to be applied.Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to applyfunctional water with various concentration without considering thecorrosion of the functional water flow path and the like.

Preferably, in the present invention, the functional water generationpart is configured to reform water by electrolysis to generate thefunctional water, and the controller is configured to controlenergization power of the functional water generation part to dischargethe functional water having the first concentration from the functionalwater discharge part, and thereafter to supply the functional waterhaving the second concentration to the functional water flow path.

In the present invention thus configured, the energization power of thefunctional water generation part is lowered to reduce the concentrationof the functional water from the first concentration to the secondconcentration, and therefore it is not necessary to use another flowpath in order to generate the functional water having the secondconcentration (more specifically, the concentration of the functionalwater does not need to be lowered by supply of normal water or the likefrom another flow path). Therefore, it is possible to simplify thedevice configuration.

Preferably, in the present invention, the controller is configured toapply predetermined energization power to the functional watergeneration part to discharge the functional water having the firstconcentration from the functional water discharge part, the controlleris configured to set the energization power of the functional watergeneration part to 0 to stop the energization of the functional watergeneration part, so that normal water is supplied to the functionalwater flow path, and the normal water has the second concentration whichis 0 and has not been reformed by the functional water generation part.

In the present invention thus configured, the energization power of thefunctional water generation part is set to 0 to stop the energization ofthe functional water generation part, so that normal water is suppliedto the functional water flow path as the functional water having thesecond concentration, and therefore it is possible to effectively dilutethe concentration of the functional water inside the functional waterflow path, and it is possible to reliably inhibit corrosion of thefunctional water flow path and the like.

Preferably, the present invention further includes a solenoid valveconfigured to switch between supply and blocking of the normal waterwith respect to the functional water flow path, by opening and closing,after the functional water is discharged from the functional waterdischarge part through the functional water flow path by theenergization of the functional water generation part, the controller isconfigured to stop the energization of the functional water generationpart to stop the supply of the functional water to the functional waterflow path, and is configured to control the solenoid valve to supply thenormal water to the functional water flow path.

In the present invention thus configured, the functional water isdischarged from the functional water discharge part through thefunctional water flow path, and thereafter the energization of thefunctional water generation part is stopped, and the solenoid valve iscaused to supply the normal water to the functional water flow path, andtherefore the normal water is supplied to the functional water flow pathin place of the functional water, and the functional water inside thefunctional water flow path is discharged by this normal water to bereplaced by the normal water, so that the concentration of thefunctional water inside the functional water flow path can be suitablydiluted (in a case where sufficient quantity of the normal water issupplied, almost all the functional water inside the functional waterflow path is discharged, and the inside of the functional water flowpath can be filled with the normal water). Accordingly, corrosion of thefunctional water flow path and the like can be reliably inhibited.

Preferably, in the present invention, the solenoid valve is provided onan upstream side of the functional water generation part, and isconfigured to switch between supply and blocking of the normal waterwith respect to the functional water flow path through the functionalwater generation part, by opening and closing, and the controller isconfigured to open the solenoid valve and energize the functional watergeneration part to discharge the functional water from the functionalwater discharge part through the functional water flow path, and thenthe controller is configured to stop the energization of the functionalwater generation part and maintain an open state of the solenoid valvefor predetermined time to stop the supply of the functional water to thefunctional water flow path such that the normal water is supplied to thefunctional water flow path.

In the present invention thus configured, switching between supply andblocking of the normal water to and from the functional water flow paththrough the functional water generation part is performed by use of thesolenoid valve provided on the upstream side of the functional watergeneration part, and therefore it is not necessary to use another flowpath for supplying the normal water to the functional water flow path.Therefore, it is possible to simplify the device configuration.

Preferably, in the present invention, after the energization of thefunctional water generation part is stopped, the controller isconfigured to supply the functional water flow path with the normalwater having quantity at least larger than a volume of the functionalwater flow path.

In the present invention thus configured, in a case where the largerquantity of the normal water than the volume of the functional waterflow path is supplied to the functional water flow path, the normalwater is discharged after the functional water is discharged, andtherefore the functional water discharged to a bowl and the like of ahand wash basin can be allowed to flow by the normal water, and it ispossible to inhibit influence of the functional water on the bowl, aperforated plate, and the like.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present invention, it is possible to suitably inhibitcorrosion of a functional water flow path and the like, regardless ofthe concentration of functional water in a water faucet device thatdischarges functional water such as electrolyzed water.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hand wash basin, to which an automaticwater faucet device according to embodiments of the present invention isapplied, as viewed obliquely from above.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams for specifically illustrating aconfiguration of the automatic water faucet device according to theembodiments of the present invention, in which FIG. 2A is a perspectiveview of this automatic water faucet device as viewed obliquely frombelow, and FIG. 2B is a sectional view of this automatic water faucetdevice taken along the line IIB-IIB in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a second water discharge partfor illustrating a principle of spray water discharge of the secondwater discharge part according to the embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the automatic water faucet deviceaccording to the embodiments of the present invention, for illustratingrelation between a water discharge range of the second water dischargepart according to the embodiments of the present invention and anirradiation range of an LED.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the automatic water faucet deviceaccording to the embodiments of the present invention, for illustratingplacement relation among a first water discharge part and the secondwater discharge part, and a sensor according to the embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a functionconfiguration of the automatic water faucet device according to theembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a time chart illustrating basic control according to a firstembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 8A-8E are schematic diagrams illustrating a state of water insidea second flow path in a period of after-water discharge in time seriesfrom the left to the right, according to the first embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 9 is a time chart illustrating a first control example according tothe first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a time chart illustrating a second control example accordingto the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a time chart illustrating a third control example accordingto the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a control flow of water dischargefor hand washing according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a control flow of after-waterdischarge according to the first embodiment of the present invention,the control flow being performed after the flowchart illustrated in FIG.12.

FIG. 14 is a time chart illustrating basic control according to a secondembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a control flow of water dischargefor hand washing according to the second embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a functionconfiguration of an automatic water faucet device according toModification 3 in the embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 17A and 17B are a diagram for specifically illustrating aconfiguration of an automatic water faucet device according toModification 5 in the embodiments of the present invention, in whichFIG. 17A is a perspective view of this automatic water faucet device asviewed obliquely from below, and FIG. 17B is a sectional view of thisautomatic water faucet device taken along the line XVIIB-XVIIB in FIG.17A.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a functionconfiguration of the automatic water faucet device according toModification 5 in the embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a time chart illustrating control according to Modification 5in the embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a kitchen as viewed obliquely fromabove, the kitchen being a kitchen to which a manual water faucet deviceaccording to Modification 8 in the embodiments of the present inventionis applied.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Now, a water faucet device according to embodiments of the presentinvention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.Hereinafter, the water faucet devices according to the embodiment of thepresent invention will be described by exemplifying a configuration inwhich the present invention is applied to an automatic water faucetdevice that automatically discharges water and stops discharging waterin accordance with a detection state by a sensor. However, the presentinvention is not limited to application to such an automatic waterfaucet device, and is applicable to various water faucet devices.

<Whole Configuration>

First, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hand wash basin, to which anautomatic water faucet device according to the embodiments of thepresent invention is applied, as viewed obliquely from above. Asillustrated in FIG. 1, a hand wash basin 5 has an automatic water faucetdevice 1 that automatically discharges water and stop discharging waterin response to a detection state of an object to be detected such as ahuman body mainly, and a bowl 3 that receives water discharged from thisautomatic water faucet device 1, and drains the water from a drain port(not illustrated).

<Configuration of Automatic Water Faucet Device>

Now, the automatic water faucet device according to the embodiments ofthe present invention will be described in detail with reference toFIGS. 2A and 2B to FIG. 6.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams for specifically illustrating aconfiguration of the automatic water faucet device according to theembodiments of the present invention. FIG. 2A is a perspective view ofthe automatic water faucet device according to the embodiments of thepresent invention as viewed obliquely from below, and FIG. 2B is asectional view of this automatic water faucet device taken along theline IIB-IIB in FIG. 2A. Herein, a configuration of the vicinity of awater discharge part of the automatic water faucet device 1 according tothe embodiments will be mainly described.

As illustrated in FIG. 2A, the automatic water faucet device 1 has awater discharge pipe 11 that is a curved tubular member. As illustratedin FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, a first water discharge part 12 configured toperform foamy water discharge from a first water discharge port 12 a, anozzle-like second water discharge part 13 configured to perform spraywater discharge (in other words, misty water discharge) from a secondwater discharge port 13 a, and a sensor 14 that detects an object to bedetected, and utilizes infrared light or the like, and an LED (LightEmitting Diode) 15 that applies light are disposed in a front end of thewater discharge pipe 11. More specifically, in the front end of thewater discharge pipe 11, the sensor 14, the first water discharge port12 a, the LED 15, and the second water discharge port 13 a are disposedin this order from the top to the bottom. Additionally, a first flowpath 17 that is connected to the first water discharge part 12, andsupplies water to the first water discharge part 12, and a second flowpath 18 that is connected to the second water discharge part 13, andsupplies water to the second water discharge part 13 (includingelectrolyzed water described below) are disposed inside the waterdischarge pipe 11. The second water discharge part 13 is equivalent to a“functional water discharge part” in the present invention, and thesecond flow path 18 is equivalent to a “functional water flow path” inthe present invention.

Herein, the first water discharge part 12 mixes air by a filter withwater flow to be discharged and discharges foamy water containing foamin the water, as foamy water discharge. This foamy water dischargeperformed by the first water discharge part 12 is equivalent to a “firstwater discharge form” in the present invention. On the other hand, thesecond water discharge part 13 performs misty water discharge ofwidening water at a predetermined angle from the second water dischargeport 13 a, in other words, misty water discharge of widening water in arange wider than the cross-sectional area (diameter) of the second waterdischarge port 13 a, as the spray water discharge. This spray waterdischarge by the second water discharge part 13 is equivalent to a“second water discharge form” in the present invention. Additionally,the second water discharge part 13 performs the spray water discharge ata smaller flow rate than the first water discharge part 12, and performsthe spray water discharge at a faster flow speed than the first waterdischarge part 12. In one example, the first water discharge part 12discharges foamy water at a speed of 2 liters per minute, and the secondwater discharge part 13 discharges splay water at a speed of 0.3 litersper minute.

Now, a principle of the spray water discharge of the second waterdischarge part 13 according to the embodiments will be described withreference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of thesecond water discharge part 13 as viewed along the water flow direction.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, in the second water discharge part 13, astraight flow (refer to the arrow A11) is generated inside an internalflow path 13 d by water that flows in from the inflow port 13 b providedin an upper end, and a rotational flow (refer to the arrow A12) isgenerated inside the internal flow path 13 d by water that flows in froma slit part 13 c formed on an outer peripheral surface of the upper endof the internal flow path 13 d. The spray water discharge is performedin a full-cone manner from the one second water discharge port 13 aformed in a lower end of the internal flow path 13 d, by a synergisticeffect of such a straight flow and such a rotational flow. Morespecifically, the water is discharged while widening in a range largerthan the cross-sectional area (diameter) of the second water dischargeport 13 a. In this case, the water is discharged while widening from thesecond water discharge port 13 a at a discharge angle θ. In the foamywater discharge by the first water discharge part 12, water isdischarged in almost the same range as the cross-sectional area(diameter) of the first water discharge port 12 a, and therefore thedischarge angle θ from the second water discharge port 13 a of thesecond water discharge part 13 is larger than the discharge angle fromthe first water discharge port 12 a of the first water discharge part12.

Now, relation between the water discharge range of the second waterdischarge part 13 and the irradiation range of the LED 15 according tothe embodiments will be described with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is asectional view of the automatic water faucet device 1 according to theembodiments, which is similar to FIG. 2B.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, in the embodiments, in order to inform a userof a water discharge range R11 of water sprayed by the second waterdischarge part 13 by light from the LED 15, the installation angle ofthe LED 15 and the irradiation range of the LED 15 are set such that anirradiation range R12 of the light by the LED 15 substantially coincideswith the water discharge range R11 by the second water discharge part13. For example, the LED 15 is disposed such that the center axis of theLED 15 is substantially parallel to the center axis of the second waterdischarge part 13.

Now, placement relation among the first water discharge part 12, thesecond water discharge part 13, and the sensor 14 according to theembodiments will be described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is asectional view of the automatic water faucet device 1 according to theembodiments, which is similar to FIG. 2B.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, in the embodiments, the second water dischargeport 13 a of the second water discharge part 13 is disposed behind thefirst water discharge port 12 a of the first water discharge part 12, sothat water dripping from the first water discharge port 12 a isprevented from falling on the second water discharge port 13 a. In thiscase, the second water discharge port 13 a of the second water dischargepart 13 is disposed such that water sprayed from the second waterdischarge port 13 a does not fall on the first water discharge port 12aof the first water discharge part 12. In addition, the second waterdischarge port 13 a of the second water discharge part 13 is disposed soas to perform spray water discharge toward the vicinity (not illustratedin FIG. 5) of a drain port of the bowl 3. In the embodiments, the sensor14 is disposed in front of the second water discharge port 13 a of thesecond water discharge part 13 such that a hand is suitably detected bythe sensor 14 even when a person does not stretch his/her handsrearward. In other words, the second water discharge port 13 a isdisposed behind the sensor 14. Thus, the water sprayed from the secondwater discharge port 13 a is unlikely to fall on a part not desired tobe wet such as an arm and a body of the user.

Furthermore, in the embodiments, such directional relation between thesensor 14 and the second water discharge part 13 that the sensor 14 doesnot detect the water sprayed from the second water discharge port 13 aof the second water discharge part 13 is employed. More specifically,the further the object to be detected is away from the sensor 14, thelower the detection accuracy of the sensor 14 becomes, and thereforesuch directional relation between the sensor 14 and the second waterdischarge part 13 that a directional range R13 (is a range including adetection range of the sensor 14, more specifically, is equivalent to arange in which the detection range is extended forward) corresponding tothe detection direction A23 related to detection of the object to bedetected in the sensor 14 intersects with the water discharge range R11of the second water discharge part 13 at a separated position on thefront side is employed. More specifically, the sensor 14 is disposed soas to be directed in such a direction that the detection direction A23of the sensor 14 is separated from the water discharge direction A22 ofthe second water discharge part 13. In other words, the sensor 14 isdisposed such that a line L13 (typically equivalent to the center axisof the sensor 14) along the detection direction A23 of the sensor 14does not intersect with a line L12 (typically equivalent to the centeraxis of the second water discharge part 13) vertically extending fromthe center of the second water discharge port 13 a of the second waterdischarge part 13 on the front side.

Furthermore, in the embodiments, such directional relation between thefirst water discharge part 12 and the second water discharge part 13that the water sprayed from the second water discharge port 13 a of thesecond water discharge part 13 is unlikely to fall on the user isemployed. More specifically, the first water discharge part 12 and thesecond water discharge part 13 are disposed so as to be directed in sucha direction that the water discharge direction A21 of the first waterdischarge part 12 and the water discharge direction A22 of the secondwater discharge part 13 are separated from each other. In other words,the first water discharge part 12 and the second water discharge part 13are disposed such that a line L11 (typically equivalent to the centeraxis of the first water discharge part 12) vertically extending from thecenter of the first water discharge port 12 aof the first waterdischarge part 12 does not intersect with the line L12 (typicallyequivalent to the center axis of the second water discharge part 13)vertically extending from the center of the second water discharge port13 a of the second water discharge part 13 on the front side.

Now, a function configuration of the automatic water faucet deviceaccording to the embodiments of the present invention will be describedwith reference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a block diagram schematicallyillustrating the function configuration of the automatic water faucetdevice according to the embodiments of the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, in the automatic water faucet device 1according to the embodiments, a common flow path 21 is connected to anupstream side of both the above first flow path 17 and second flow path18 (refer to FIGS. 2A and 2B and the like). To this common flow path 21,normal water such as general tap water (city water) (this water isappropriately written as “normal water” in order to distinguish fromelectrolyzed water in this specification) is supplied. A stop cock 22for blocking circulation of normal water in the common flow path 21, afilter 23 for removing foreign matters and the like mixed in normalwater, and a constant flow valve 24 for keeping a flow rate on secondaryside constant are provided on the common flow path 21 in order from theupstream side, and the common flow path 21 is branched into the firstflow path 17 and the second flow path 18 at a downstream end of thecommon flow path 21.

A first solenoid valve 25 that switches between circulation and blockingof normal water in the first flow path 17 by opening and closing isprovided in the first flow path 17. In a case where this first solenoidvalve 25 is opened, normal water flows into the first flow path 17, andthe normal water is foamily discharged from the first water dischargepart 12 connected to the downstream end of the first flow path 17.

On the other hand, in the second flow path 18, a second solenoid valve28, a pressure regulating valve 29, a safety valve 30, a check valve 35,and an electrolysis tank 37 are provided in order from the upstreamside. The second solenoid valve 28 switches between the circulation andthe blocking of normal water in the second flow path 18 by opening andclosing. In a case where this second solenoid valve 28 is opened, normalwater flows into the second flow path 18 to be sprayed from the secondwater discharge part 13 connected to a downstream end of the second flowpath 18. The pressure regulating valve 29 is a valve that regulateswater pressure to desired pressure (pressure suitable for performing thespray water discharge). The safety valve 30 is a valve that reduces thepressure of the inside of the second flow path 18 by opening to allowwater inside the second flow path 18 to flow into the first flow path 17through a bypass flow path 31 in a case where the pressure inside thesecond flow path 18 becomes predetermined pressure or more (for example,in a case where the second water discharge port 13 a is closed and thepressure of the second flow path 18 rapidly rises). The check valve 35is a valve that prevents backward flow of water. The electrolysis tank37 electrolyzes normal water to generate electrolyzed water by beingenergized (this electrolysis tank 37 corresponds to a “functional watergeneration part” in the present invention). A filter may be furtherprovided on the downstream side of the electrolysis tank 37.

The automatic water faucet device 1 further has a controller 40 thatcontrols components inside the automatic water faucet device 1. Thecontroller 40 is operated by power from an AC power supply 39, andperforms control for supplying the power of the AC power supply 39 tothe sensor 14, the LED 15, the first solenoid valve 25, the secondsolenoid valve 28, and the electrolysis tank 37. More specifically, thecontroller 40 performs control for acquiring a sensor signal indicatinga detection state of an object to be detected by the sensor 14, andswitching between on and off of the LED 15 on the basis of this sensorsignal, control for switching between opening and closing of the firstsolenoid valve 25, control for switching between opening and closing ofthe second solenoid valve 28, and control for switching betweenexecution and stop of generation of electrolyzed water by theelectrolysis tank 37.

Herein, electrolyzed water generated by the electrolysis tank 37 will bedescribed.

As electrolyzed water used in the embodiments, any water having adisinfecting function obtained by electrolyzation may be used.Representative examples of electrolyzed water include electrolyzed watercontaining hypochlorous acid. Generally, tap water or recycled watercontains chlorine ions and therefore free chlorine is generated byelectrolyzation. Free chlorine which is acid exists as hypochlorous acid(HClO). In this form, free chlorine has higher sterilizing power byabout 10 times than hypochlorous acid ions (ClO) whose existence form isalkaline. Additionally, even neutral, free chlorine obtains intermediatepowerful sterilizing power. Accordingly, water electrolyzed in acontinuous type electrolysis tank becomes sterile water having powerfulsterilizing power.

As described above, tap water or recycled water generally utilizedcontains chlorine ions. However, in a case of utilization in a regionwhere the concentration of chlorine ions is low, or in a case wherepowerful bactericidal action is needed, chloride such as salt is added,so that chlorine ions can be supplemented.

As an electrode used in chlorine generation, an electrode carrying acatalyst for generating chlorine in a conductive base material, orconductive material formed of a catalyst for generating chlorine isutilized. Examples of the electrode carrying a catalyst for generatingchlorine include an iron-based electrode such as ferrite, apalladium-based electrode, a ruthenium-based electrode, an iridium-basedelectrode, a platinum-based electrode, a ruthenium-tin-based electrode,a palladium-platinum-based electrode, an iridium-platinum-basedelectrode, a ruthenium-platinum-based electrode, and aniridium-platinum-tantalum-based electrode, depending on kinds of acatalyst for generating chlorine. The electrode carrying the catalystfor generating chlorine in the conductive base material can be formed ofa material such as titanium and stainless, and therefore is advantageousin a manufacturing cost.

In addition to chlorine, hypohalous acid obtained by electrolyzing watercontaining halogen ions may be used.

Examples of other electrolyzed water can include silver ion waterobtained by utilizing silver as an electrode. Silver ions are absorbedby enzymes in cell membranes of bacteria, and block action of enzymes,and therefore it is said that bacteria cannot save their lives. Silverions have action for coating a base material surface contacting withbacteria, and bacteria are unlikely to breed on the base materialsurface. Silver ions coat the base material surface, can preventadhesion of bacteria, and have sterilizing power, and therefore it ispossible to effectively inhibit breeding of bacteria on the basematerial surface. At this time, slime and an odor of a drain port can beinhibited for a long period by combination with a cleaning method forincreasing a substitution ratio of a drain trap.

In addition to the above, various kinds of electrolyzed water such asozonated water of generating ozone with high concentration along withgeneration of oxygen on an anode side by particularly using lead dioxide(β type) as an electrode for electrolyzation can be suitably used.

Furthermore, examples of disinfected water other than electrolyzed waterinclude solution containing various dissolved disinfection components.As dissolved disinfection components, any of solid, liquid, and gaseousdisinfection components may be used. In a case where a liquiddisinfection component is used, for example, alcohols such as ethanoland isopropanol, hydrogen peroxide, or the like may be applied.Additionally, in a case where a gaseous disinfection component is used,for example, ozonated water may be produced by dissolving ozone asmicrobubble into water. In a case where a solid disinfection componentis used, for example, sodium hypochlorite or the like may be applied.

Various kinds of disinfected water described above are equivalent to“functional water” in the present invention. Herein, in thisspecification, word “disinfection” means not only reduction of bacteria(in this case, not only meaning of reduction of bacteria by removal, butalso meaning of reduction of bacteria by killing are included), but alsoinhibition of breeding of bacteria in default of reduction of bacteria,is used as broad sense. The “functional water” in the present inventionmeans water obtained by adding a disinfecting function having suchmeaning to normal water by predetermined treatment.

In the embodiments, an example in which electrolyzed water is used asthe functional water in the present invention will be described. It goeswithout saying that the above disinfected water other than electrolyzedwater may be used in place of electrolyzed water.

<Control by Controller>

Now, control performed by the controller 40 in the embodiments of thepresent invention will be specifically described.

First Embodiment

First, control performed by the controller 40 in a first embodiment ofthe present invention will be described.

FIG. 7 is a time chart illustrating basic control according to the firstembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 illustrates a sensor signalsupplied to the controller 40 from the sensor 14, a driving signalsupplied to the second solenoid valve 28 from the controller 40, adriving signal supplied to the first solenoid valve 25 from thecontroller 40, a driving signal supplied to the electrolysis tank 37from the controller 40, and a driving signal supplied to the LED 15 fromthe controller 40, in order from the top.

The sensor signal turns on in a case where the sensor 14 detects anobject to be detected, and the sensor signal turns off in a case wherethe sensor 14 does not detect the object to be detected (hereinafter, astate where the sensor signal is turned on, and the sensor 14 detects anobject to be detected is referred to as a “detection state”, and a statewhere the sensor signal is turned off, and the sensor 14 does not detectthe object to be detected is referred to as a “non-detection state”).Additionally, the driving signal of the second solenoid valve 28 isequivalent to an opening/closing state of the second solenoid valve 28,the driving signal of the first solenoid valve 25 is equivalent to anopening/closing state of the first solenoid valve 25, the driving signalof the electrolysis tank 37 is equivalent to on/off of the electrolysistank 37 (in other words, an operation/non-operation state of theelectrolysis tank 37), and the driving signal of the LED 15 isequivalent to an on/off state of the LED 15.

First, at time t11, the sensor signal is switched from off to on, thatis, the sensor 14 is switched from a non-detection state to a detectionstate. At this time, the controller 40 energizes the first solenoidvalve 25 to open the first solenoid valve 25, and performs foamy waterdischarge of normal water from the first water discharge part 12. Thisfoamy water discharge is water discharge for hand washing of a user orthe like. Hereinafter, the water discharge performed in order to attainsuch a purpose is appropriately referred to as “water discharge for handwashing” (although this water discharge is used in order to attain notonly the purpose of hand washing but also various purposes such aswashing of a face, storing of water in the bowl 3, and washing of teethbrushing, word “water discharge for hand washing” is used by applyinghand washing as the representative for convenience sake for distinctionfrom after-water discharge described below). Then, at time t12, thesensor signal is switched from on to off, that is, the sensor 14 isswitched from the detection state to the non-detection state. At thistime, the controller 40 stops energization to the first solenoid valve25 to close the first solenoid valve 25, and the foamy water dischargefrom the first water discharge part 12 is terminated, that is, the waterdischarge for hand washing is terminated.

Thereafter, when the non-detection state of the sensor 14 is continuedfor a predetermined time T1 from the time t12 when the foamy waterdischarge as the water discharge for hand washing is terminated, thecontroller 40 causes spray water discharge from the second waterdischarge part 13. This spray water discharge is performed in order toprevent dirt flowing out by hand washing using the above water dischargefor hand washing from being unlikely to be removed by being dried andstuck in a state of being adhered to the bowl 3 and the like of the handwash basin 5 (hereinafter, water discharge for such a purpose isappropriately referred to as “after-water discharge” as water dischargeperformed after the water discharge for hand washing). That is, afterthe predetermined time T1 elapses from termination of the waterdischarge for hand washing, spray water discharge is performed as theafter-water discharge, and dirt is washed away before the dirt by thewater discharge for hand washing is dried and stuck. From such aviewpoint, the predetermined time T1 is set based on time until the dirtby the water discharge for hand washing is dried and stuck. For example,the predetermined time T1 is set to three seconds.

More specifically, the controller 40 first informs a user that spraywater discharge is performed from now on, by turning on the LED 15 andirradiating the water discharge range R11 of the spray water dischargeby the second water discharge part 13 with light of the LED 15, at timet13 (refer to FIG. 4). Then, the controller 40 energizes the secondsolenoid valve 28 to open the second solenoid valve 28 at time t14(corresponding to time after the predetermined time T1 elapses from thetime t12 when the water discharge for hand washing is terminated)immediately after the time t13, and energizes the electrolysis tank 37to generate electrolyzed water in the electrolysis tank 37 at time t15immediately after the time t14, so that electrolyzed water is sprayedfrom the second water discharge part 13, that is, after-water dischargeis performed. Thus, the reason why energization of the second solenoidvalve 28 and energization of the electrolysis tank 37 are not performedat the same time, and energization to the electrolysis tank 37 isstarted after start of the energization of the second solenoid valve 28is because, since large power is consumed at timing of switching of thesecond solenoid valve 28 from closing to opening, and therefore theelectrolysis tank 37 is not energized at this switching timing, and theelectrolysis tank 37 tries to be energized while power is stable.

Thereafter, at time t16 when a predetermined time T3 (for example, 1.9seconds) elapses from the time t14 when the second solenoid valve 28 isopened, the controller 40 stops energization to the electrolysis tank 37to terminate the generation of electrolyzed water in the electrolysistank 37. At this time, the second solenoid valve 28 is still opened, andtherefore the spray water discharge from the second water discharge part13 is continued. Then, at time t17 after the time t16, morespecifically, at the time t17 when a predetermined time T2 (for example,3.5 seconds) elapses from the time t14 when the second solenoid valve 28is opened, the controller 40 turns the LED 15 off to terminateirradiation of light from the LED 15, and stops energization to thesecond solenoid valve 28 to close the second solenoid valve 28, so thatthe spray water discharge from the second water discharge part 13 isterminated, that is, the after-water discharge is terminated.

Herein, life (lifetime) of the electrolysis tank 37 may be increased,and control related to the above after-water discharge may be performed.

In one example, the controller 40 does not perform the after-waterdischarge each time the water discharge for hand washing is performed,but performs the after-water discharge each time the water discharge forhand washing is performed a predetermined number of times. Morespecifically, the controller 40 counts the number of times of the waterdischarge for hand washing, and the controller 40 does not perform theafter-water discharge when the counted number of times does not reachthe predetermined number of times, but performs the after-waterdischarge when the counted number of times reaches the predeterminednumber of times. At this time, the number of times counted at this timeis reset, and the number of times of the water discharge for handwashing is counted again. In this case, the controller 40 applieselectrolyzed water when the after-water discharge is performed.

In another example, the controller 40 performs the after-water dischargeeach time the water discharge for hand washing is performed, butappropriately switches between after-water discharge which applieselectrolyzed water, and after-water discharge which does not applyelectrolyzed water (that is, after-water discharge which applies normalwater). In this case, the controller 40 applies electrolyzed water eachtime the after-water discharge is performed the predetermined number oftimes. More specifically, the controller 40 counts the number of timesof the after-water discharge. When the number of times counted does notreach the predetermined number of times, the electrolysis tank 37 is notenergized, so that after-water discharge which applies normal water isperformed. When the counted number of times reaches the predeterminednumber of times, the electrolysis tank 37 is energized, so thatafter-water discharge which applies electrolyzed water is performed. Atthis time, the counted number of times is reset, and the number of timesof the after-water discharge is counted again.

In yet another example, the controller 40 performs the after-waterdischarge each time the water discharge for hand washing is performed,and performs the after-water discharge by changing energization time ofthe electrolysis tank 37. That is, in a case where the after-waterdischarge is performed, the controller 40 changes the concentration ofelectrolyzed water to be applied. More specifically, use frequency ofthe automatic water faucet device 1 is learned, the controller 40adjusts energizing time of the electrolysis tank 37 based on this usefrequency. More specifically, the controller 40 reduces the energizingtime of the electrolysis tank 37, as the learned use frequency is high.In other words, the controller 40 increases the energizing time of theelectrolysis tank 37, as the learned use frequency is low.

In the above description, control related to the after-water dischargeperformed in consideration of the life (lifetime) of the electrolysistank 37 is described. However, the present invention is not limited tosuch control, and control related to the after-water discharge may beperformed while giving a priority to keeping the bowl 3 of the hand washbasin 5 clean. In this case, the bowl 3 of the hand wash basin 5 becomesdirty after the user washes his/her hands, and therefore the controller40 may perform the after-water discharge which applies electrolyzedwater each time the water discharge for hand washing is performed.

Now, the reason why electrolyzed water is generated only in an initialperiod (period denoted by a reference numeral T3 in FIG. 7) in a periodwhen the after-water discharge is performed (period denoted by areference numeral T2 in FIG. 7), and normal water made to be flowwithout generating electrolyzed water in a period subsequent the aboveperiod will be described with reference to FIGS. 8A-8E. FIG. 8A-8Eschematically illustrate the second flow path 18 and the second waterdischarge part 13 on the upstream side of the electrolysis tank 37, andillustrates a state of water inside the second flow path 18 in theperiod when the after-water discharge is performed in time series fromthe left to the right. FIGS. 8A-8E illustrate normal water andelectrolyzed water inside the second flow path 18 by different forms.

First, when the after-water discharge is started, the controller 40switches the second solenoid valve 28 from closing to opening to startenergization to the electrolysis tank 37. At this time, the inside ofthe second flow path 18 is filled with normal water, and thereforenormal water is discharged from the second water discharge part 13(refer to FIG. 8A). Thereafter, electrolyzed water generated in theelectrolysis tank 37 flows through the second flow path 18 toward thedownstream side (refer to FIG. 8B). When the electrolyzed water reachesthe downstream end of the second flow path 18, that is, reaches thesecond water discharge part 13 (at this time, the inside of the secondflow path 18 is filled with the electrolyzed water), the electrolyzedwater starts being discharged from the second water discharge part 13(refer to FIG. 8C). Thereafter, the controller 40 stops the energizationof the electrolysis tank 37 to stop the generation of the electrolyzedwater in the electrolysis tank 37, while maintaining the second solenoidvalve 28 in the open state. Then, normal water is supplied to the secondflow path 18 to push the electrolyzed water inside the second flow path18 out, so that the electrolyzed water is discharged from the secondwater discharge part 13, and the electrolyzed water inside the secondflow path 18 is gradually replaced with the normal water (refer to FIG.8D). Then, finally, the electrolyzed water inside the second flow path18 is nearly eliminated, the inside of the second flow path 18 is filledwith the normal water (refer to FIG. 8E). At this time, the controller40 switches the second solenoid valve 28 from opening to closing, andthe spray water discharge from the second water discharge part 13 isterminated, that is, the after-water discharge is terminated.

Thus, in this embodiment, when the after-water discharge usingelectrolyzed water is terminated, the inside of the second flow path 18is filled with normal water. Thus, corrosion (degradation) of the secondflow path 18 and the like due to electrolyzed water remaining in thesecond flow path 18 is inhibited. In this case, the controller 40 stopsthe energization of the electrolysis tank 37, and thereafter maintainsthe second solenoid valve 28 in the open state for time required forallowing the same quantity of normal water as the capacity (capacityincluding the second water discharge part 13 may be used) of the secondflow path 18, or the larger quantity of normal water than the abovequantity to flow in the second flow path 18, and supplies normal waterto the second flow path 18, so that the state where the inside of thesecond flow path 18 is filled with normal water is created at the timeof termination of the after-water discharge.

In one example, in a case where the capacity of the second flow path 18is 8 cc, and the flow rate in the second flow path 18 is 5 cc/sec., 1.6seconds are required to fill the inside of the second flow path 18 withnormal water, and therefore the controller 40 stops the energization ofthe electrolysis tank 37, and thereafter maintains the second solenoidvalve 28 in the open state for 1.6 seconds, and supplies normal water tothe second flow path 18. In this example, in a case where theafter-water discharge is performed for 3.5 seconds (equivalent to thepredetermined time T2 illustrated in FIG. 7), the controller 40energizes the electrolysis tank 37 while keeping the second solenoidvalve 28 in the open state for the first 1.9 seconds (equivalent to thepredetermined time T3 illustrated in FIG. 7), and thereafter maintainsthe second solenoid valve 28 in the open state while stopping theenergization of the electrolysis tank 37 for 1.6 seconds. In such acase, normal water is discharged for the first initial 1.6 seconds, andthereafter electrolyzed water is discharged for 1.9 seconds.

In the above example, 1.6 seconds are minimum time required for fillingthe inside of the second flow path 18 with normal water from the stop ofthe energization of the electrolysis tank 37. The present invention isnot limited to the maintenance of opening of the second solenoid valve28 and the supply of normal water to the second flow path 18 for 1.6seconds, and the second solenoid valve 28 may be maintained in the openstate and normal water may be supplied to the second flow path 18 fortime longer than 1.6 seconds. This is equivalent to supply of the largerquantity of normal water than the capacity of the second flow path 18 tothe second flow path 18. In this case, after electrolyzed water isdischarged, and thereafter normal water is discharged for a while,electrolyzed water discharged to the bowl 3 and the like of the handwash basin 5 can be allowed to flow by the normal water, so that it ispossible to inhibit influence of electrolyzed water on the bowl 3, aperforated plate, and the like.

In the above example, in the after-water discharge, electrolyzed wateris discharged from the second water discharge part 13, and thereafterthe energization of the electrolysis tank 37 is stopped, supply ofelectrolyzed water to the second flow path 18 is stopped, and normalwater is supplied to the second flow path 18. In another example,electrolyzed water may be discharged from the second water dischargepart 13, and thereafter the energization of the electrolysis tank 37 maynot be stopped, energization power (which means a current or a voltage)of the electrolysis tank 37 may be lowered, and not normal water butelectrolyzed water having low concentration may be supplied to thesecond flow path 18.

In this case, the controller 40 first applies first energization powerto the electrolysis tank 37, so that electrolyzed water having firstconcentration is generated in the electrolysis tank 37, thiselectrolyzed water having the first concentration is discharged from thesecond water discharge part 13 through the second flow path 18.Thereafter, second energization power lower than the first energizationpower is applied to the electrolysis tank 37, so that electrolyzed waterhaving second concentration lower than the first concentration isgenerated in the electrolysis tank 37, and this electrolyzed waterhaving the second concentration is supplied to the second flow path 18.For example, as the electrolyzed water having the first concentration,electrolyzed water with concentration having a sufficient disinfectingfunction is applied, and as the electrolyzed water having the secondconcentration, electrolyzed water having small concentration hardlygiving influence on the second flow path 18 and the like (preferably,electrolyzed water having such concentration that the electrolyzed waterhaving the first concentration filled in the second flow path 18 can besufficiently diluted) is applied. When the second energization powerapplied to the electrolysis tank 37 is 0, the energization of theelectrolysis tank 37 is stopped, and the second concentration becomes 0,so that normal water is supplied to the second flow path 18 like theabove example.

Also in such another example, the electrolyzed water having therelatively high first concentration is discharged, and thereafter theelectrolyzed water having the relatively low second concentration issupplied to the second flow path 18, and therefore the concentration ofelectrolyzed water inside the second flow path 18 can be diluted by thiselectrolyzed water having the second concentration, and it is possibleto inhibit corrosion (degradation) of the second flow path 18 and thelike due to electrolyzed water.

Now, another control example performed on the basis of the above basiccontrol (refer to FIG. 7) in the first embodiment of the presentinvention will be described with reference to FIG. 9 to FIG. 11.

FIG. 9 is a time chart illustrating a first control example according tothe first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 illustrates asensor signal supplied to the controller 40 from the sensor 14, adriving signal supplied to the second solenoid valve 28 from thecontroller 40, and a driving signal supplied to the first solenoid valve25 from the controller 40, in order from the top.

Herein, description of control similar to the above basic control willbe appropriately omitted. More specifically, control from time t21 totime t22, and control subsequent to time t24 are similar to the basiccontrol, and therefore description thereof will be omitted, and onlycontrol from the time t22 to the time t24 will be described.

The above basic control is control for performing the after-waterdischarge when the predetermined time T1 elapses after execution of thewater discharge for hand washing. However, the first control example isrelated to control performed in a case where the sensor 14 is switchedfrom a non-detection state to a detection state during time before thepredetermined time T1 elapses from execution of the water discharge forhand washing. More specifically, in the first control example, after thetime t22 when the water discharge for hand washing is terminated, attime t23 before the predetermined time T1 elapses, the sensor 14 isswitched from the non-detection state to the detection state, so thatthe controller 40 energizes the first solenoid valve 25 to open thefirst solenoid valve 25, and discharges foamy water from the first waterdischarge part 12. In this case, the controller 40 maintains the firstsolenoid valve 25 in the open state between the time t23 and the timet24 during which the detection state of the sensor 14 is continued, andperforms foamy water discharge by the first water discharge part 12,that is, performs the water discharge for hand washing.

Thus, in the first control example, in a case where the sensor 14 isbrought into the detection state in a period before the after-waterdischarge is performed after execution of the water discharge for handwashing, spray water discharge by the second water discharge part 13 isnot performed, and foamy water discharge by the first water dischargepart 12 is performed. Thus, in a case where the sensor 14 is switchedfrom the temporal non-detection state to the detection state afterexecution of the water discharge for hand washing (for example, in acase where a user temporarily moves his/her hands outside the detectionrange of the sensor 14 during hand wash), the after-water discharge isnot started, and the water discharge for hand washing is started again.That is, the user can start washing hands again without waiting fortermination of the after-water discharge.

FIG. 10 is a time chart illustrating a second control example accordingto the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 illustrates asensor signal supplied to the controller 40 from the sensor 14, adriving signal supplied to the second solenoid valve 28 from thecontroller 40, and a driving signal supplied to the first solenoid valve25 from the controller 40, in order from the top.

Herein, description of control similar to the above basic control willbe appropriately omitted. More specifically, control from time t31 totime t33, and control subsequent to time t35 are similar to the basiccontrol, and therefore description thereof will be omitted, and onlycontrol from the time t34 to the time t35 will be described.

The second control example is related to control performed in a casewhere the sensor 14 is switched from the non-detection state to thedetection state during execution of the after-water discharge. Morespecifically, in the second control example, the sensor 14 is switchedfrom the non-detection state to the detection state at the time t34during execution of the after-water discharge, so that the controller 40stops energization to the second solenoid valve 28 to close the secondsolenoid valve 28 (stops also energization of the electrolysis tank 37in a case where the electrolysis tank 37 is energized), stops spraywater discharge from the second water discharge part 13, energizes thefirst solenoid valve 25 to open the first solenoid valve 25, andperforms foamy water discharge from the first water discharge part 12.That is, the controller 40 terminates the after-water discharge to startthe water discharge for hand washing. In this case, the controller 40maintains the first solenoid valve 25 in the open state between the timet34 and the time t35 during which the detection state of the sensor 14is continued, and performs foamy water discharge by the first waterdischarge part 12. Then, at time t36 when the non-detection state of thesensor 14 is continued for the predetermined time T1 after the time t35when the water discharge for hand washing is terminated, the controller40 energizes the second solenoid valve 28 to open the second solenoidvalve 28, performs spray water discharge by the second water dischargepart 13, that is, performs the after-water discharge again.

Thus, in the second control example, in a case where the sensor 14 isbrought into the detection state during the execution of the after-waterdischarge, the spray water discharge by the second water discharge part13 is stopped, and foamy water discharge by the first water dischargepart 12 is performed, that is, the after-water discharge is stopped andthe water discharge for hand washing is performed. Thus, a user can washhis/her hands without waiting for termination of the after-waterdischarge. Additionally, when electrolyzed water falls on the hands ofthe user, skin roughness is sometimes caused depending on theconcentration of electrolyzed water, or odor peculiar to electrolyzedwater (such as odor of chlorine) sometimes remains. However, in casewhere the sensor 14 is brought into the detection state during executionof the after-water discharge, the after-water discharge is stopped, sothat such a problem caused by falling of electrolyzed water on the handsof the user is prevented.

FIG. 11 is a time chart illustrating a third control example accordingto the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 illustrates adriving signal supplied to the second solenoid valve 28 from thecontroller 40 on the top, and a driving signal supplied to theelectrolysis tank 37 from the controller 40 on the bottom. Herein,description of control similar to the above basic control will beappropriately omitted.

In the above basic control, the energization of the second solenoidvalve 28 and the energization of the electrolysis tank 37 are notperformed at the same time, and the energization of the electrolysistank 37 is started after start of the energization of the secondsolenoid valve 28. However, in the third control example, the controller40 does not stop the energization of the second solenoid valve 28 andthe energization of the electrolysis tank 37 at the same time, and stopsthe energization of the second solenoid valve 28 after start of theenergization of the electrolysis tank 37. More specifically, thecontroller 40 energizes the second solenoid valve 28 at time t41, andenergizes the electrolysis tank 37 at time t42 immediately after that,and thereafter stops the energization of the electrolysis tank 37 attime t43, and stops the energization of the second solenoid valve 28 attime t44 immediately after that. For example, in a case where the sensor14 is brought into the detection state during execution of theafter-water discharge where electrolyzed water is being generated, thecontroller 40 stops the energization of the electrolysis tank 37 and theenergization of the second solenoid valve 28 by such a procedure.

Thus, the reason why the stop of the energization of the second solenoidvalve 28 and the stop of the energization of the electrolysis tank 37are not performed at the same time, and the energization to the secondsolenoid valve 28 is stopped after the stop of the energization of theelectrolysis tank 37 is because, since large power is consumed at timingof switching of the second solenoid valve 28 from opening to closing,and therefore the electrolysis tank 37 already stops the energization ofthe electrolysis tank 37 at this switching timing, and the secondsolenoid valve 28 tries to be operated while power is stable. In theperiod during which both the second solenoid valve 28 and theelectrolysis tank 37 are energized (period between the time t42 and thetime t43), large power is consumed, and therefore power supplied to thesecond solenoid valve 28 may be appropriately thinned out. Morespecifically, the energization to the second solenoid valve 28 may bestopped temporarily. Even when the energization to the second solenoidvalve 28 is temporarily stopped after the second solenoid valve 28 isonce opened, the second solenoid valve 28 is hardly closed, so that itis possible to maintain the substantially open state of the secondsolenoid valve 28.

Now, a control flow performed by the controller 40 in the firstembodiment of the present invention will be described with reference toFIG. 12 and FIG. 13. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a control flowof water discharge for hand washing according to the first embodiment ofthe present invention, and FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a controlflow of the after-water discharge according to the first embodiment ofthe present invention, the control flow being performed after theflowchart illustrated in FIG. 12. The control flows illustrated in FIG.12 and FIG. 13 are control flows obtained by applying the first to thirdcontrol examples (refer to FIG. 9 to FIG. 11) to the basic control(refer to FIG. 7).

First, the control flow according to water discharge for hand washingaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention, illustratedin FIG. 12 will be described.

First, in Step S11, the controller 40 determines whether or not a sensorsignal from the sensor 14 is switched from off to on, that is,determines whether or not the sensor 14 is switched from thenon-detection state to the detection state. As a result, in a case wherethe sensor signal is not switched from off to on (Step S11: No), thedetermination in Step S11 is performed again. That is, the controller 40repeatedly performs the determination in Step S11 until the sensorsignal is switched from off to on.

On the other hand, in a case where the sensor signal is switched fromoff to on, (Step S11: Yes), the process advances to Step S12, thecontroller 40 energizes the first solenoid valve 25 to open the firstsolenoid valve 25, and performs foamy water discharge of normal waterfrom the first water discharge part 12, that is, performs the waterdischarge for hand washing.

Then, the process advances to Step S13, the controller 40 determineswhether or not the sensor signal from the sensor 14 is switched from onto off, that is, determines whether or not the sensor 14 is switchedfrom the detection state to the non-detection state. As a result, in acase where the sensor signal is not switched from on to off (Step S13:No), the determination in Step S13 is performed again. That is, thecontroller 40 repeatedly performs the determination in Step S13 untilthe sensor signal is switched from on to off. In this case, thecontroller 40 continues the energization to the first solenoid valve 25,and maintains the open state of the first solenoid valve 25, so thatwater discharge for hand washing is continued.

On the other hand, in a case where the sensor signal is switched from onto off (Step S13: Yes), the process advances to Step S14, the controller40 stops the energization to the first solenoid valve 25 to open thefirst solenoid valve 25, and terminates the foamy water discharge fromthe first water discharge part 12, that is, terminates the waterdischarge for hand washing. Thereafter, the process advances to Step S20illustrated in FIG. 13.

Now, the control flow of the after-water discharge according to thefirst embodiment of the present invention, illustrated in FIG. 13 willbe described.

First, in Step S20, the controller 40 determines whether or not a sensorsignal from the sensor 14 is off, that is, determines whether or not thesensor 14 is in the non-detection state. As a result, in a case wherethe sensor signal is not off (Step S20: No), that is, in a case wherethe sensor signal is switched from off to on, the process returns toStep S12 illustrated in FIG. 12. In this case, as described above, thecontroller 40 energizes the first solenoid valve 25 to open the firstsolenoid valve 25, performs foamy water discharge of normal water fromthe first water discharge part 12, and performs the water discharge forhand washing again.

On the other hand, in a case where the sensor signal is off (Step S20:Yes), the process advances to Step S21, and the controller 40 determineswhether or not 3 seconds (equivalent to the predetermined time T1illustrated in FIG. 7) elapses from the termination of the waterdischarge for hand washing. As a result, in a case where 3 seconds donot elapse from the termination of the water discharge for hand washing(Step S21: No), the process returns to Step S20, determination in StepsS20 and S21 is performed again. In this case, while determining whetheror not the sensor signal is off, the controller 40 waits for elapse of 3seconds.

On the other hand, in a case where 3 seconds elapse from the terminationof the water discharge for hand washing (Step S21: Yes), the processadvances to Step S22, and the controller 40 turns the LED 15 on.Immediately after that, in Step S23, the controller 40 energizes thesecond solenoid valve 28 to open the second solenoid valve 28.Immediately after that, in Step S24, the controller 40 energizes theelectrolysis tank 37 to generate electrolyzed water in the electrolysistank 37. Thus, the controller 40 performs spray water discharge ofelectrolyzed water from the second water discharge part 13, that is,performs the after-water discharge.

Strictly, at a time point before 3 seconds elapse from the terminationof the water discharge for hand washing, that is, when a predeterminedtime of less than 3 seconds elapse from the termination of the waterdischarge for hand washing, the controller 40 turns the LED 15 on so asto open the second solenoid valve 28 at a point when 3 seconds elapsefrom the termination of the water discharge for hand washing.

Then, in Step S25, the controller 40 determines whether or not thesensor signal from the sensor 14 is off, that is, determines whether ornot the sensor 14 is in the non-detection state. As a result, in a casewhere the sensor signal is not off (Step S25: No), that is, the sensorsignal is switched from off to on, the process advances to Step S26. Inthis case, in Step S26, the controller 40 stops the energization of theelectrolysis tank 37, and terminates the generation of electrolyzedwater in the electrolysis tank 37. Immediately after that, in Step S27,the controller 40 turns the LED 15 off, stops the energization to thesecond solenoid valve 28, and opens the second solenoid valve 28. Thus,the controller 40 terminates the spray water discharge from second waterdischarge part 13, that is, terminates the after-water discharge.Thereafter, the process returns to Step S12 illustrated in FIG. 12, andthe controller 40 energizes the first solenoid valve 25 to open thefirst solenoid valve 25, performs foamy water discharge of normal waterfrom the first water discharge part 12, and performs the water dischargefor hand washing again, as described above.

On the other hand, in a case where the sensor signal is off (Step S25:Yes), the process advances to Step S28, and the controller 40 determineswhether or not 1.9 seconds (equivalent to the predetermined time T3illustrated in FIG. 7) elapse from the start of the after-waterdischarge. As a result, in a case where 1.9 seconds do not elapse fromthe start of the after-water discharge (Step S28: No), the processreturns to Step S25, determination in Steps S25 and S28 is performedagain. In this case, while determining whether or not the sensor signalis off, the controller 40 waits for elapse of 1.9 seconds.

On the other hand, in a case where 1.9 seconds elapse from the start ofthe after-water discharge (Step S28: Yes), the process advances to StepS29, and the controller 40 stops the energization of the electrolysistank 37 to terminate the generation of electrolyzed water in theelectrolysis tank 37.

Then, in Step S30, the controller 40 determines whether or not thesensor signal from the sensor 14 is off, that is, determines whether ornot the sensor 14 is in the non-detection state. As a result, in a casewhere the sensor signal is not off (Step S30: No), that is, the sensorsignal is switched from off to on, the process advances to Step S27. Inthis case, in Step S27, the controller 40 turns the LED 15 off, stopsthe energization to the second solenoid valve 28, and closes the secondsolenoid valve 28. Thus, the controller 40 terminates the spray waterdischarge from second water discharge part 13, that is, terminates theafter-water discharge. Thereafter, the process returns to Step S12illustrated in FIG. 12, and the controller 40 energizes the firstsolenoid valve 25 to open the first solenoid valve 25, performs foamywater discharge of normal water from the first water discharge part 12,and performs the water discharge for hand washing again, as describedabove.

On the other hand, in a case where the sensor signal is off (Step S30:Yes), the process advances to Step S31, and the controller 40 determineswhether or not 3.5 seconds (equivalent to the predetermined time T2illustrated in FIG. 7) elapses from the start of the after-waterdischarge. As a result, in a case where 3.5 seconds do not elapse fromthe start of the after-water discharge (Step S31: No), the processreturns to Step S30, determination in Steps S30 and S31 is performedagain. In this case, while determining whether or not the sensor signalis off, the controller 40 waits for elapse of 3.5 seconds.

On the other hand, in a case where 3.5 seconds elapse from the start ofthe after-water discharge (Step S31: Yes), the process advances to StepS32, and the controller 40 turns the LED 15 off, stops the energizationto the second solenoid valve 28 to close the second solenoid valve 28.Thus, the controller 40 terminates the spray water discharge from thesecond water discharge part 13, that is, terminates the after-waterdischarge.

(Working Effects of First Embodiment)

Now, working effects of the automatic water faucet device according tothe first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

According to the first embodiment, in a case where the sensor 14 is inthe detection state, the water discharge for hand washing is performed.When the sensor 14 is brought into the non-detection state, the waterdischarge for hand washing is terminated, and thereafter the after-waterdischarge is performed (refer to FIG. 7). Therefore, when there is apossibility that dirt flowing out by hand washing using the waterdischarge for hand washing is dried and stuck in the state of beingadhered to the bowl 3 and the like of the hand wash basin 5, theafter-water discharge can be suitably performed, and the dirt can beinhibited from being dried and stuck in the state of being adhered tothe bowl 3 and the like of the hand wash basin 5, while unnecessarywater discharge is inhibited. Accordingly, it is possible to keep thebowl 3 of the hand wash basin 5 and the like clean. Particularly,according to the first embodiment, the after-water discharge isperformed by use of electrolyzed water, and therefore it is possible toeffectively keep the bowl 3 and the like of the hand wash basin 5 clean.

Additionally, water (dirty water) flowing out by hand washing using thewater discharge for hand washing tends to fall in a range wider than thewater discharge range of the water discharge for hand washing. However,according to the first embodiment, the after-water discharge isperformed by use of spray water discharge having wider discharge angleof water from the water discharge port than the foamy water dischargeused in the water discharge for hand washing, and therefore water can bedischarged in a wide range at a low flow rate, and the bowl 3 and thelike of the hand wash basin 5 can be effectively kept clean whileunnecessary water discharge is effectively inhibited. In this case, itis difficult for a user to anticipate the water discharge range R11 ofspray water discharge. However, according to the first embodiment, theLED 15 irradiates substantially the same range R12 as the waterdischarge range R11 of the spray water discharge (refer to FIG. 4), andtherefore the user can be suitably informed of the water discharge rangeR11 of the spray water discharge, and water can be inhibited fromreaching a place where the user does not desire. Particularly, accordingto the first embodiment, before the spray water discharge is started,the user is previously informed of the water discharge range R11 of thespray water discharge by light from the LED 15 (refer to FIG. 7), andtherefore water can be effectively inhibited from reaching the placewhere the user does not desire.

According to the first embodiment, when the non-detection state of thesensor 14 is continued for a predetermined time after the waterdischarge for hand washing is terminated, the after-water discharge isperformed (refer to FIG. 7), and therefore the user can be informed ofthe termination of the water discharge for hand washing and start ofsubsequent after-water discharge. When electrolyzed water by theafter-water discharge falls on the hands of the user, skin roughness issometimes caused depending on the concentration of electrolyzed water,or odor peculiar to electrolyzed water (such as odor of chlorine)sometimes remains. However, the user is thus informed of the start ofthe after-water discharge, so that it is possible to suitably prevent aproblem caused by falling of electrolyzed water on the hands of theuser.

According to the first embodiment, in a case where the sensor 14 isbrought into the detection state during time before the after-waterdischarge is performed after execution of the water discharge for handwashing, spray water discharge is not performed, and foamy waterdischarge is performed (refer to FIG. 9). Therefore, in a case where thesensor is switched from the temporal non-detection state to thedetection state after the water discharge for hand washing (for example,in a case where the user temporarily moves his/her hands outside thedetection range of the sensor 14 during hand washing), the after-waterdischarge is not started, and the water discharge for hand washing canbe suitably started again. That is, the user can start washing handsagain without waiting for termination of the after-water discharge.

According to the first embodiment, in a case where the sensor 14 isbrought into the detection state during after-water discharge, the spraywater discharge is stopped, and the foamy water discharge is performed,that is, the after-water discharge is stopped, and the water dischargefor hand washing is performed (refer to FIG. 10), and therefore the usercan wash his/her hand without waiting for the termination of theafter-water discharge, and the above problem caused by falling ofelectrolyzed water on the hands of the user can be prevented.

According to the first embodiment, the electrolysis tank 37 starts beingenergized after energization of the second solenoid valve 28, and theenergization of the electrolysis tank 37 is started in a state wherepower is stable when the after-water discharge is started, and thesecond solenoid valve 28 stops being energized after the stop of theenergization of the electrolysis tank 37, and the second solenoid valve28 is operated from opening to closing in a state where power is stable(refer to FIG. 11) when the after-water discharge is terminated, andtherefore it is possible to suitably handle a power supply having smallcapacity, and miniaturization of the device is possible.

According to the first embodiment, the after-water discharge is notperformed each time the water discharge for hand washing is performed,but the after-water discharge is performed each time the water dischargefor hand washing is performed the predetermined number of times, or usefrequency of the automatic water faucet device 1 is learned, energizingtime of the electrolysis tank 37 is adjusted on the basis of this usefrequency, so that it is possible to reduce load applied to theelectrolysis tank 37 to increase the life (lifetime) of the electrolysistank 37.

Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, in the after-waterdischarge, electrolyzed water is discharged from the second waterdischarge part 13, and thereafter the energization of the electrolysistank 37 is stopped, supply of the electrolyzed water to the second flowpath 18 is stopped, and normal water is supplied to the second flow path18 (refer to FIG. 7 and FIGS. 8A-8E), and therefore the electrolyzedwater inside the second flow path 18 is discharged by this suppliednormal water to be replaced by the normal water, so that theconcentration of the electrolyzed water inside the second flow path 18can be diluted (in a case where sufficient quantity of the normal wateris supplied, almost all the electrolyzed water inside the second flowpath 18 is discharged, and the inside of the second flow path 18 can befilled with the normal water). Consequently, corrosion (degradation) ofthe second flow path 18 or the like due to electrolyzed water remainingin the second flow path 18 can be inhibited. Herein, a method forregulating the concentration of electrolyzed water is considered inorder to inhibit the corrosion of the second flow path 18 or the like.In this case, the concentration of electrolyzed water needs to beregulated to such concentration as to inhibit corrosion. However,according to the first embodiment, as described above, normal water issupplied to the second flow path 18, and therefore it is possible toapply electrolyzed water with various concentration without consideringthe corrosion of the second flow path 18 or the like.

On the other hand, according to the first embodiment, in the automaticwater faucet device 1 provided with the first water discharge port 12aof the first water discharge part 12, the second water discharge port13 a of the second water discharge part 13, and the sensor 14 in thefront end, the first water discharge port 12 ais disposed between thesensor 14 and the second water discharge port 13 a (refer to FIG. 2B),and therefore the sensor 14 can be separated from the second waterdischarge port 13 a, and it is possible to inhibit erroneous waterdischarge due to detection of water sprayed from the second waterdischarge port 13 a by the sensor 14. Particularly, according to thefirst embodiment, the LED 15 is further disposed between the first waterdischarge port 12 aand the second water discharge port 13 a (refer toFIG. 2B), and therefore the sensor 14 can be further separated from thesecond water discharge port 13 a, and it is possible to effectivelyinhibit the above erroneous water discharge. In addition, the LED 15 isdisposed near the second water discharge port 13 a, and therefore thewater discharge range R11 of the second water discharge part 13 can besuitably irradiated with light from the LED 15.

According to the first embodiment, the sensor 14 is disposed in front ofthe second water discharge port 13 a (refer to FIG. 2B), and therefore auser does not need to force himself/herself to stretch his/her handsrearward in order to make the sensor 14 detect his/her hands, comparedto a case where the sensor 14 is disposed behind the second waterdischarge port 13 a. In addition, the second water discharge port 13 ais disposed behind the sensor 14 (refer to FIG. 2B), and therefore watersprayed from the second water discharge port 13 a is unlikely to fall ona part not desired to be wet such as an arm and a body of the user,compared to a case where the second water discharge port 13 a isdisposed in front of the sensor 14.

According to the first embodiment, the sensor 14 is disposed so as to bedirected in such a direction that the detection direction A23 of thesensor 14 is separated from the water discharge direction A22 of thesecond water discharge part 13, in other words, the sensor 14 isdisposed such that the line L13 along the detection direction A23 of thesensor 14 does not intersect with the line L12 vertically extending fromthe center of the second water discharge port 13 a of the second waterdischarge part 13 on the front side (refer to FIG. 5), and thereforeintersects with the water discharge range R11 of the second waterdischarge part 13 at a part where detection accuracy in the directionalrange R13 of the sensor 14 is considerably low (that is, partconsiderably separated from the sensor 14 in the directional range R13),so that it is possible to effectively inhibit erroneous water dischargedue to detection of the water sprayed from the second water dischargeport 13 a by the sensor 14.

According to the first embodiment, the first water discharge part 12 andthe second water discharge part 13 are disposed so as to be directed insuch a direction that the water discharge direction A21 of the firstwater discharge part 12 and the water discharge direction A22 of thesecond water discharge part 13 are separated from each other, in otherwords, the first water discharge part 12 and the second water dischargepart 13 are disposed such that the line L11 vertically extending fromthe center of the first water discharge port 12 a does not intersectwith the line L12 vertically extending from the center of the secondwater discharge port 13 a on the front side (refer to FIG. 5), andtherefore the spray water discharge can be performed downward from thesecond water discharge part 13, and water sprayed from the second waterdischarge part 13 can be suitably prevented from falling on the user.

According to the first embodiment, the second water discharge port 13 ais disposed behind the first water discharge port 12 a (refer to FIG.2B), and therefore water dripping from the first water discharge port 12a is suitably prevented from falling on the second water discharge port13 a. In this case, according to the first embodiment, the direction ofthe second water discharge part 13, taking the position of the firstwater discharge port 12 a into consideration, is applied, so that watersprayed from the second water discharge port 13 a is suitably preventedfrom falling on the first water discharge port 12 a.

Second Embodiment

Now, control performed by the controller 40 in a second embodiment ofthe present invention will be described. In the above first embodiment,in the water discharge for hand washing, only the foamy water dischargefrom the first water discharge part 12 is performed. However, in thesecond embodiment, in the water discharge for hand washing, only thefoamy water discharge from a first water discharge part 12 is performed,but also spray water discharge from a second water discharge part 13 isperformed. More specifically, in the second embodiment, in waterdischarge for hand washing, a controller 40 first performs spray waterdischarge from the second water discharge part 13 for a predeterminedtime, and thereafter performs foamy water discharge from the first waterdischarge part 12.

Hereinafter, description of control similar to the control of the abovefirst embodiment will be appropriately omitted, and only controldifferent from the control of the first embodiment will be described.That is, control which is not particularly described is similar to thecontrol of the first embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a time chart illustrating basic control according to thesecond embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 illustrates a sensorsignal supplied to the controller 40 from the sensor 14, a drivingsignal supplied to a second solenoid valve 28 from the controller 40, adriving signal supplied to a first solenoid valve 25 from the controller40, a driving signal supplied to an electrolysis tank 37 from thecontroller 40, and a driving signal supplied to an LED 15 from thecontroller 40, in order from the top.

Herein, control subsequent to time t54 is similar to the control of thebasic control, and therefore description thereof will be omitted, andonly control from time t51 to the time t54 will be described.

First, at the time t51, the sensor signal is switched from off to on,that is, the sensor 14 is switched from a non-detection state to adetection state. At this time, the controller 40 energizes the secondsolenoid valve 28 to open the second solenoid valve 28, and performsspray water discharge from the second water discharge part 13. In thiscase, the controller 40 does not turn the LED 15 on, and does notenergize the electrolysis tank 37, that is, does not generateelectrolyzed water in the electrolysis tank 37, and sprays normal waterfrom the second water discharge part 13. The controller 40 applies suchspray water discharge as water discharge initially performed in waterdischarge for hand washing. Then, the controller 40 stops theenergization to the second solenoid valve 28 to close the secondsolenoid valve 28 at time t52 when a predetermined time T5 (for example,3 seconds) elapses from the time t51 when the spray water discharge fromthe second water discharge part 13 is started, so that the spray waterdischarge from the second water discharge part 13 is terminated.

Then, at time t53 when a certain time (for example, 0.5 seconds) elapsesfrom the time t52 when the spray water discharge from the second waterdischarge part 13 is terminated, the controller 40 energizes the firstsolenoid valve 25 to open the first solenoid valve 25, and sprays normalwater from the first water discharge part 12. The controller 40 appliessuch foamy water discharge as water discharge performed after the spraywater discharge in the water discharge for hand washing. Thereafter, atthe time t54, the sensor signal is switched from on to off, that is, thesensor 14 is switched from the detection state to the non-detectionstate. At this time, the controller 40 stops the energization to thefirst solenoid valve 25 to close the first solenoid valve 25, andterminates the foamy water discharge from the first water discharge part12. Thus, the water discharge for hand washing is terminated.Thereafter, the controller 40 performs after-water discharge in aprocedure similar to the procedure of the first embodiment.

The predetermined time T5 for performing the spray water discharge inthe water discharge for hand washing may be able to be regulated. Morespecifically, a regulation unit such as a switch may be provided in anautomatic water faucet device 1, a manager or the like may be able toregulate the predetermined time T5 by using the regulation unit inresponse to usage environment of the automatic water faucet device 1(such as a characteristic of a user of the automatic water faucet device1, and an installation place of the automatic water faucet device 1).

Now, a control flow performed by the controller 40 in the secondembodiment of the present invention will be described with reference toFIG. 15. FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a control flow of waterdischarge for hand washing according to the second embodiment of thepresent invention.

Also after termination of the control flow according to the waterdischarge for hand washing according to the second embodiment, the abovecontrol flow according to after-water discharge illustrated in FIG. 13is similarly performed.

First, in Step S41, the controller 40 determines whether or not a sensorsignal from the sensor 14 is switched from off to on, that is,determines whether or not the sensor 14 is switched from thenon-detection state to the detection state. As a result, in a case wherethe sensor signal is not switched from off to on (Step S41: No), thedetermination in Step S41 is performed again. That is, the controller 40repeatedly performs the determination in Step S41 until the sensorsignal is switched from off to on.

On the other hand, in a case where the sensor signal is switched fromoff to on, (Step S41: Yes), the process advances to Step S42, and thecontroller 40 energizes the second solenoid valve 28 to open the secondsolenoid valve 28, and performs foamy water discharge from the secondwater discharge part 13. Thus, the water discharge for hand washing isstarted.

Then, the process advances to Step S43, the controller 40 determineswhether or not 3 seconds (equivalent to the predetermined time T5illustrated in FIG. 14) elapses from the start of the spray waterdischarge as the water discharge for hand washing. As a result, in acase where 3 seconds do not elapse from the start of the spray waterdischarge (Step S43: Yes), the process advances to Step S44, thecontroller 40 determines whether or not the sensor signal from thesensor 14 is switched from on to off, that is, determines whether or notthe sensor 14 is switched from the detection state to the non-detectionstate. As a result, in a case where the sensor signal is switched fromon to off (Step S44: Yes), the process advances to Step S45, thecontroller 40 stops the energization to the second solenoid valve 28 toclose the second solenoid valve 28, and terminates the spray waterdischarge from the second water discharge part 13. Consequently, thewater discharge for hand washing is terminated. Thereafter, the processadvances to Step S20 illustrated in FIG. 13, which is described above.

On the other hand, in a case where the sensor signal is not switchedfrom on to off (Step S44: No), the process returns to Step S43, anddetermination in Steps S43 and S44 is performed again. That is, whiledetermining whether or not the sensor signal is switched from on to off,the controller 40 waits for elapse of 3 seconds. In this case, thecontroller 40 continues the energization to the second solenoid valve28, and maintains the open state of the second solenoid valve 28, sothat spray water discharge from the second water discharge part 13 iscontinued.

On the other hand, in a case where 3 seconds elapse from the start ofthe spray water discharge (Step S43: No), the process advances to StepS46, and the controller 40 stops the energization to the second solenoidvalve 28 to close the second solenoid valve 28, and terminates the spraywater discharge from the second water discharge part 13.

Then, the process advances to Step S47, and the controller 40 energizesthe first solenoid valve 25 to open the first solenoid valve 25, andstarts the foamy water discharge from the first water discharge part 12.In this case, the controller 40 starts such foamy water discharge afterthe predetermined time (for example, 0.5 seconds) elapses from thetermination of the spray water discharge.

Then, the process advances to Step S48, the controller 40 determineswhether or not the sensor signal from the sensor 14 is switched from onto off, that is, determines whether or not the sensor 14 is switchedfrom the detection state to the non-detection state. As a result, in acase where the sensor signal is not switched from on to off (Step S48:No), the determination in Step S48 is performed again. That is, thecontroller 40 repeatedly performs the determination in Step S48 untilthe sensor signal is switched from on to off. In this case, thecontroller 40 continues the energization to the first solenoid valve 25,and maintains the open state of the first solenoid valve 25, so thatfoamy water discharge from the first water discharge part 12 iscontinued.

On the other hand, in a case where the sensor signal is switched from onto off (Step S48: Yes), the process advances to Step S49, and thecontroller 40 stops the energization to the first solenoid valve 25 toclose the first solenoid valve 25, and terminates the foamy waterdischarge from the first water discharge part 12. Consequently, thewater discharge for hand washing is terminated. Thereafter, the processadvances to Step S20 illustrated in FIG. 13, which is described above.

In a case where the control flow according to the second embodiment isexecuted, when the determination in the above Step S20 illustrated inFIG. 13 is “No”, and after the control in Step S27 is performed, theprocess returns to Step S47 illustrated in FIG. 15. More specifically,also in the second embodiment, in a case where the sensor 14 is broughtinto the detection state during time before the after-water discharge isperformed after execution of the water discharge for hand washing, spraywater discharge by the second water discharge part 13 is not performed,and foamy water discharge by the first water discharge part 12 isperformed. Additionally, in a case where the sensor 14 is brought intothe detection state during after-water discharge, the spray waterdischarge by the second water discharge part 13 is stopped, and thefoamy water discharge by the first water discharge part 12 is performed.

Working Effects of Second Embodiment)

Now, working effects of the automatic water faucet device according tothe second embodiment of the present invention will be described.Herein, only working effects different from the above working effects ofthe first embodiment will be described.

According to the second embodiment, while the sensor 14 detects anobject to be detected, the spray water discharge from the second waterdischarge part 13 is first performed. Then, when the predetermined timeT5 (for example, 3 seconds) elapses from the start of the spray waterdischarge, the spray water discharge is stopped, and the foamy waterdischarge from the first water discharge part 12 is performed.Therefore, it is possible to efficiently perform hand washing by firstusing spray water discharge at a low flow rate and at a high flow speed,and it is possible to efficiently perform not only hand washing but alsoface washing, water storage, and the like by using foamy water dischargeat a high flow rate after the spray water discharge. Therefore, it ispossible to suitably save water while securing convenience of a user.Particularly, according to the second embodiment, switching to the foamywater discharge from the spray water discharge is automaticallyperformed, and therefore the switching to the foamy water discharge isautomatically performed without special operation or attention by theuser, for example, in a case where operation other than hand washing(such as face washing and water storage) is performed, or in a casewhere relatively long operation such as hand washing using a soap isperformed, so that high convenience is secured.

According to the second embodiment, after a constant time (for example,after 0.5 seconds) from the stop of the spray water discharge from thesecond water discharge part 13, the foamy water discharge from the firstwater discharge part 12 is started, that is, water is temporarilystopped between the spray water discharge and the foamy water discharge,and therefore the user can be informed of the termination of the spraywater discharge. Consequently, it is possible to give the user anopportunity for stopping hand washing, and it is possible to effectivelysave water.

According to the second embodiment, the predetermined time T5 forperforming the spray water discharge in the water discharge for handwashing can be changed, and therefore the predetermined time T5 forperforming the spray water discharge can be appropriately regulateddepending on priority of either convenience of the user or water savingin accordance with the usage environment of the automatic water faucetdevice 1. For example, in environment where stuck dirt is adhered to ahand, and relatively long hand washing is needed, the predetermined timeT5 for performing the spray water discharge is shortened, and it ispossible to give priority to the convenience of the use over watersaving.

According to the second embodiment, in a case where the sensor 14detects an object to be detected during time before the predeterminedtime T1 (for example, 3 seconds) elapses after the sensor 14 does notdetect the object to be detected, and the water discharge for handwashing is stopped, the spray water discharge from the second waterdischarge part 13 is not performed again, and the foamy water dischargefrom the first water discharge part 12 is performed, and therefore theconvenience of the user can be suitably secured. For example, in a casewhere the user moves his/her hands to the outside of the detection rangeof the sensor 14 during hand washing, and thereafter tries to draw waterwith his/her hands, or wash hands with a soap, not the spray waterdischarge but the foamy water discharge is performed, and therefore itis possible to secure the convenience of the user.

<Modifications>

Now, modifications of the above embodiments will be described. Themodifications described below can be applied by being appropriatelycombined with the above embodiments.

(Modification 1)

In the above embodiments, the foamy water discharge is performed fromthe first water discharge part 12, that is, the foamy water discharge isdescribed as the first water discharge form in the present invention.However, the first water discharge form in the present invention is notlimited to application of the foamy water discharge. As the first waterdischarge form in the present invention, various water discharge formssuch as a shower water discharge form in which water is discharged in ashower form from a large number of water discharge ports each having asmall diameter, a straight water discharge form (strictly, the foamywater discharge illustrated in the above embodiments includes thisstraight water discharge) in which water is discharged straight from oneor more water discharge ports each having a relatively large diameter, awater discharge form in which the foamy water discharge and the showerwater discharge are combined can be applied.

(Modification 2)

In the above embodiments, the after-water discharge is performed by useof electrolyzed water. However, the after-water discharge may be used byuse of normal water without use of electrolyzed water. Such after-waterdischarge using normal water can prevent dirt flowing out by handwashing from being dried and stuck in a state of being adhered to thebowl 3 and the like of the hand wash basin 5.

(Modification 3)

In the above embodiment, the water discharge from the first waterdischarge part 12 and the water discharge from the second waterdischarge part 13 are switched by use of the two solenoid valves,namely, the first solenoid valve 25 and the second solenoid valve 28.However, the water discharge from the first water discharge part 12 andthe water discharge from the second water discharge part 13 may beswitched by only one solenoid valve.

A function configuration of an automatic water faucet device using onlyone solenoid valve according to Modification 3 in the embodiments of thepresent invention will be described with reference to FIG. 16. FIG. 16is a block diagram schematically illustrating the function configurationof the automatic water faucet device according to Modification 3 of theembodiment of the present invention. Herein, components identical withthe components of the automatic water faucet device 1 illustrated inFIG. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptionthereof will be omitted.

As illustrated in FIG. 16, a configuration of an automatic water faucetdevice la according to Modification 3 is different from theconfiguration of the automatic water faucet device 1 illustrated in FIG.6 in that a solenoid valve 51 and a changeover valve 52 are provided inplace of the first solenoid valve 25 and the second solenoid valve 28.The solenoid valve 51 is provided on a common flow path 21, and isopened and closed by control from a controller 40 to switch betweencirculation and blocking of normal water in the common flow path 21. Thechangeover valve 52 is provided at a connection part between the commonflow path 21 and the first flow path 17 and between the common flow path21 and the second flow path 18. In other words, the changeover valve 52is provided at a branch part of a downstream end of the common flow path21. The changeover valve 52 is operated by control from the controller40 to switch a flow path for allowing normal water to flow to either oneof the first flow path 17 and the second flow path 18.

The changeover valve 52 is configured as an electric valve controlled bythe controller 40. However, a mechanical valve driven by water pressuremay be applied as the changeover valve in place of such a changeovervalve 52. In a case where a mechanical changeover valve is applied, theflow path for allowing normal water to flow may be switched between thefirst flow path 17 and the second flow path 18 by regulating the openingof the solenoid valve 51 provided on the common flow path 21 on anupstream side of this changeover valve, and regulating water pressureapplied to the changeover valve.

(Modification 4)

In the above embodiments, the after-water discharge is performed afterthe predetermined time elapses after the stop of the water discharge forhand washing (refer to FIG. 7, FIG. 14, and the like). In anotherexample, the after-water discharge may be provided without providingtime after the stop of the water discharge for hand washing, that is,the after-water discharge may be performed continuously with the waterdischarge for hand washing.

In yet another example, the after-water discharge may be started duringexecution of water discharge for hand washing, and the after-waterdischarge may be overlapped with the water discharge for hand washing.In this case, the water discharge for hand washing is performed whilethe sensor 14 is in a detection state, and when the sensor 14 isswitched from the detection state to a non-detection state, after-waterdischarge is started while the water discharge for hand washing iscontinued, and timing of termination of the water discharge for handwashing and timing of start of the after-water discharge may beoverlapped. However, it is assumed that the water discharge for handwashing is stopped before the after-water discharge. In other words, itis assumed that the after-water discharge is stopped after the stop ofthe water discharge for hand washing.

(Modification 5)

In the automatic water faucet device 1 of each of the above embodiments,water is discharged from the two water discharge parts (the first waterdischarge part 12 and the second water discharge part 13) by use of thetwo flow paths (the first flow path 17 and the second flow path 18) inthe two types of forms (foamy water discharge and spray waterdischarge). More specifically, in the first embodiment, as the waterdischarge for hand washing, foamy water discharge is performed from thefirst water discharge part 12 through the first flow path 17, and as theafter-water discharge, spray water discharge is performed from thesecond water discharge part 13 through the second flow path 18 (refer toFIG. 7 and the like). In another example, both water discharge for handwashing and after-water discharge may be performed by use of only oneflow path and one water discharge part in one type of water dischargeform. More specifically, in another example, both water discharge forhand washing and after-water discharge are performed by use of only awater discharge part capable of performing spray water discharge by thisspray water discharge.

A configuration of an automatic water faucet device according toModification 5 in the embodiments of the present invention, whichperforms both water discharge for hand washing and after-water dischargeby only spray water discharge, will be described with reference to FIGS.17A and 17B. FIG. 17A is a perspective view of the automatic waterfaucet device according to Modification 5 in the embodiments of thepresent invention, as viewed obliquely from below, and FIG. 17B is asectional view of this automatic water faucet device taken along theline XVIIB-XVIIB in FIG. 17A.

Hereinafter, components (refer to FIGS. 2A and 2B) identical with thecomponents of the automatic water faucet device 1 according to the aboveembodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptionthereof will be appropriately omitted. That is, components which are notparticularly described are similar to the components of the automaticwater faucet device 1.

As illustrated in FIGS. 17A and 17B, a configuration of an automaticwater faucet device 1 b according to Modification 5 is different fromthe configuration of the automatic water faucet device 1 according tothe above embodiments in that the first water discharge part 12 and thefirst flow path 17 for performing foamy water discharge are notprovided, but only a second water discharge part 13 and a second flowpath 18 for performing spray water discharge are provided. Otherconfiguration is almost the same as the configuration of the automaticwater faucet device 1 according to the embodiments. More specifically,the automatic water faucet device 1 b according to Modification 5 alsohas a sensor 14 for detecting an object to be detected, and an LED 15for applying light, similarly to the automatic water faucet device 1according to the embodiments.

In the automatic water faucet device 1 b according to Modification 5,the reason why the word “second” is added to the “second water dischargepart 13” and the “second flow path 18” is because existence of “first”water discharge part and flow path is not presupposed, and the secondwater discharge part 13 and the second flow path 18 have configurationssimilar to the second water discharge part 13 and the second flow path18 of the automatic water faucet device 1 according to the aboveembodiments.

Now, a function configuration of the automatic water faucet device 1 baccording to Modification 5 in the embodiments of the present inventionwill be described with reference to FIG. 18. FIG. 18 is a block diagramschematically illustrating the function configuration of the automaticwater faucet device 1 b according to Modification 5 in the embodimentsof the present invention. Herein, components identical with thecomponents of the automatic water faucet device 1 illustrated in FIG. 6are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof willbe omitted.

As illustrated in FIG. 18, the configuration of the automatic waterfaucet device 1 b according to Modification 5 is different from theconfiguration of the automatic water faucet device 1 according to theabove embodiments in that the first water discharge part 12, the firstflow path 17, and the first solenoid valve 25 are not provided. In theautomatic water faucet device 1 b according to Modification 5, acontroller 40 controls opening and closing of a second solenoid valve 28(the reason of the addition of the word “second” is as above), so thaton/off of spray water discharge from the second water discharge part 13through the second flow path 18 is switched.

Now, control according to Modification 5 in the embodiments of thepresent invention will be described with reference to FIG. 19. FIG. 19is a time chart illustrating control according to Modification 5 in theembodiments of the present invention. FIG. 19 illustrates a sensorsignal supplied to the controller 40 from the sensor 14, a drivingsignal supplied to the second solenoid valve 28 from the controller 40,a driving signal supplied to an electrolysis tank 37 from the controller40, and a driving signal supplied to the LED 15 from the controller 40,in order from the top.

First, at time t61, the sensor signal is switched from off to on, thatis, the sensor 14 is switched from a non-detection state to a detectionstate. At this time, the controller 40 energizes the second solenoidvalve 28 to open the second solenoid valve 28, and sprays normal waterfrom the second water discharge part 13. Then, at time t62, the sensorsignal is switched from on to off, that is, the sensor 14 is switchedfrom the detection state to the non-detection state. At this time, thecontroller 40 stops the energization to the second solenoid valve 28 toclose the second solenoid valve 28, and terminates foamy water dischargefrom the second water discharge part 13, that is, the water dischargefor hand washing is terminated.

Thereafter, when the non-detection state of the sensor 14 is continuedfrom a predetermined time T1 from the time t62 when the spray waterdischarge as the water discharge for hand washing is terminated, thecontroller 40 performs spray water discharge from the second waterdischarge part 13 again. More specifically, the controller 40 firstturns the LED 15 on at time t63, at time t64 (corresponding to timeafter the predetermined time T1 elapses from the time t62 when the waterdischarge for hand washing is terminated) immediately after time t63,the controller 40 energizes the second solenoid valve 28 to open thesecond solenoid valve 28. Then, the controller 40 energizes theelectrolysis tank 37 at time t65 immediately after the time t64 togenerate electrolyzed water in the electrolysis tank 37, so that thecontroller 40 sprays the electrolyzed water from the second waterdischarge part 13, that is, performs after-water discharge.

Thereafter, at time t66 when a predetermined time T3 (for example, 1.9seconds) elapses from the time t64 when the second solenoid valve 28 isopened, the controller 40 stops energization to the electrolysis tank 37to terminate the generation of electrolyzed water in the electrolysistank 37. At this time, the second solenoid valve 28 is still opened, andtherefore the spray water discharge from the second water discharge part13 is continued. Then, at time t67 after the time t66, morespecifically, at the time t67 when a predetermined time T2 (for example,3.5 seconds) elapses from the time t64 when the second solenoid valve 28is opened, the controller 40 turns the LED 15 off to terminateirradiation of light from the LED 15, and stops energization to thesecond solenoid valve 28 to close the second solenoid valve 28, so thatthe spray water discharge from the second water discharge part 13 isterminated, that is, the after-water discharge is terminated.

Also in Modification 5 described above, in a case where the sensor 14 isin the detection state, the water discharge for hand washing isperformed by spray water discharge. Then, when the sensor 14 is broughtinto the non-detection state, the water discharge for hand washing isterminated, and thereafter the after-water discharge is performed byspray water discharge. Therefore, when there is a possibility that dirtflowing out by hand washing using the water discharge for hand washingis dried and stuck in the state of being adhered to the bowl 3 of thehand wash basin 5 and the like, the after-water discharge can besuitably performed, and the dirt can be inhibited from being dried andstuck in the state of being adhered to the bowl 3 and the like of thehand wash basin 5, while unnecessary water discharge is inhibited.Accordingly, it is possible to keep the bowl 3 and the like of the handwash basin 5 clean.

In the above Modification 5, the water discharge for hand washing by thespray water discharge using normal water, and the after-water dischargeby the spray water discharge using electrolyzed water are performed.However, the present invention is not limited to this, and modificationsother than this are considered. As a first modification, water dischargefor hand washing by spray water discharge using normal water, andafter-water discharge by spray water discharge using normal water may beperformed. As a second modification, water discharge for hand washing byspray water discharge using electrolyzed water, and after-waterdischarge by spray water discharge using normal water may be performed.As a third modification, water discharge for hand washing by spray waterdischarge using electrolyzed water, and after-water discharge by spraywater discharge using electrolyzed water may be performed. In this thirdmodification, the concentration of electrolyzed water used in the waterdischarge for hand washing, and the concentration of electrolyzed waterused in the after-water discharge may be different from each other.

(Modification 6 )

In the above embodiments, the automatic water faucet device according tothe present invention is applied to the hand wash basin 5. However, theapplication of the present invention is not limited to this. Theautomatic water faucet device according to the present invention may beapplied to a kitchen or the like. In such a case, the after-waterdischarge is performed, so that dirt (dirty water) generated by use ofthe kitchen can be inhibited from being dried and stuck in the state ofbeing adhered to a sink or the like.

(Modification 7)

In the above embodiments, in order to fill the second flow path 18 withnormal water, the open state of the second solenoid valve 28 ismaintained for the predetermined time from the stop of the energizationof the electrolysis tank 37, supply of electrolyzed water to the secondflow path 18 is stopped, and normal water is supplied to the second flowpath 18. However, in another example, another flow path for supplyingnormal water to the second flow path 18 may be connected to the secondflow path 18, and when the energization of the electrolysis tank 37 isstopped, normal water may be supplied to the second flow path 18 fromthis another flow path, and the second flow path 18 may be filled withthe normal water. In this case, a solenoid valve may be provided on thisanother flow path, and when the energization of the electrolysis tank 37is stopped, this solenoid valve may be energized to be opened, andnormal water may be supplied to the second flow path 18 from thisanother flow path.

(Modification 8)

The present invention is not limited to application to an automaticwater faucet device that automatically discharge water when an object tobe detected is detected, and may be applied to a manual water faucetdevice that discharges water by operation of a user. In a case thepresent invention is applied to such a manual water faucet device, whenthe user performs predetermined operation (for example, when a button ispushed down), electrolyzed water may be sprayed. Additionally, thepresent invention may be applied to a water faucet device thatdischarges water on a regular basis.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a kitchen as viewed obliquely fromabove, the kitchen being a kitchen to which a manual water faucet deviceaccording to Modification 8 in the embodiments of the present inventionis applied. A kitchen 100 illustrated in FIG. 20 mainly has a manualwater faucet device 101 according to Modification 8, a sink 102, and abutton 103 a or 103 b. This manual water faucet device 101 is configuredso as to be capable of performing at least spray water discharge byelectrolyzed water (this configuration may be applied to a configurationsimilar to the above automatic water faucet device 1. Additionally,similarly to the automatic water faucet device 1, the manual waterfaucet device 101 may be configured so as to be switchable between thespray water discharge and a water discharge form different from thespray water discharge), and when a user pushes down the button 103 a or103 b, spray water discharge by electrolyzed water is performed asillustrated in reference numeral 110. Additionally, the manual waterfaucet device 101 includes an LED (not illustrated) which applies light,as illustrated by a reference numeral 111, almost the same range as awater discharge range of the spray water discharge is irradiated withthe light from the LED. For example, a chopping board and the like canbe disinfected by utilization of the spray water discharge byelectrolyzed water, and light from the LED is applied at this time, sothat the user easily recognizes which position the chopping board shouldbe disposed.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

1 automatic water faucet device

3 bowl

5 hand wash basin

11 water discharge pipe

12 first water discharge part

12 a first water discharge port

13 second water discharge part

13 a second water discharge port

14 sensor

15 LED

17 first flow path

18 second flow path

21 common flow path

25 first solenoid valve

28 second solenoid valve

37 electrolysis tank

40 controller

1. A water faucet device comprising: a functional water generation partconfigured to operate by a supplied current, and to reform water so asto generate functional water; a functional water discharge partconfigured to discharge the functional water generated by the functionalwater generation part; a functional water flow path extending from thefunctional water generation part to the functional water discharge part,and configured to allow the functional water to flow; and a controllerconfigured to control the functional water generation part, wherein thecontroller is configured to discharge the functional water having firstconcentration from the functional water discharge part through thefunctional water flow path, and thereafter to supply the functionalwater flow path with the functional water having second concentrationlower than the first concentration.
 2. The water faucet device accordingto claim 1, wherein the functional water generation part is configuredto reform water by electrolysis to generate the functional water, andwherein the controller is configured to control energization power ofthe functional water generation part to discharge the functional waterhaving the first concentration from the functional water discharge part,and thereafter to supply the functional water having the secondconcentration to the functional water flow path.
 3. The water faucetdevice according to claim 2, wherein the controller is configured toapply predetermined energization power to the functional watergeneration part to discharge the functional water having the firstconcentration from the functional water discharge part, wherein thecontroller is configured to set the energization power of the functionalwater generation part to 0 to stop the energization of the functionalwater generation part, so that normal water is supplied to thefunctional water flow path, and wherein the normal water has the secondconcentration which is 0 and has not been reformed by the functionalwater generation part.
 4. The water faucet device according to claim 3,further comprising a solenoid valve configured to switch between supplyand blocking of the normal water with respect to the functional waterflow path, by opening and closing, wherein, after the functional wateris discharged from the functional water discharge part through thefunctional water flow path by the energization of the functional watergeneration part, the controller is configured to stop the energizationof the functional water generation part to stop the supply of thefunctional water to the functional water flow path, and is configured tocontrol the solenoid valve to supply the normal water to the functionalwater flow path.
 5. The water faucet device according to claim 4,wherein the solenoid valve is provided on an upstream side of thefunctional water generation part, and is configured to switch betweensupply and blocking of the normal water with respect to the functionalwater flow path through the functional water generation part, by openingand closing, and wherein the controller is configured to open thesolenoid valve and energize the functional water generation part todischarge the functional water from the functional water discharge partthrough the functional water flow path, and then the controller isconfigured to stop the energization of the functional water generationpart and maintain an open state of the solenoid valve for predeterminedtime to stop the supply of the functional water to the functional waterflow path such that the normal water is supplied to the functional waterflow path.
 6. The water faucet device according to claim 4, wherein,after the energization of the functional water generation part isstopped, the controller is configured to supply the functional waterflow path with the normal water having quantity at least larger than avolume of the functional water flow path.
 7. The water faucet deviceaccording to claim 5, wherein, after the energization of the functionalwater generation part is stopped, the controller is configured to supplythe functional water flow path with the normal water having quantity atleast larger than a volume of the functional water flow path.